DLSU loses to Ateneo; DLSU protests game

It's been hogging the local sports headlines the past week so I might as well comment on it.

DLSU filed a protest over Ateneo regarding their first round game last week. According to La Salle, the Blue Eagle coach Norman Black fielded American Kirk Long and Aussie Zion Laterretwo foreign players at the same time. UAAP rules state that two foreign-born players are allowed to in a school's roster, but only one may play on the court at any given time.

Admittedly, Ateneo did make that mistake and it was an honest one. There was no clear intention of gaining any unfair advantage. In fact, the moment Black realized the mistake, he quickly pulled out Long, sending Jai Reyes in to replace him. A technical foul was called thereafter because Jai ran on the court without notifying the table officials.

The violation did not have any bearing on the outcome of the game. The UAAP's Technical Commitee ruled in favor of denying DLSU's protest as a result.

It's interesting to know also that DLSU is probably suffering from memory loss. Reports are saying that in 1991, La Salle fielded Dwight and Elmer Lago (both American citizens) together for about ten seconds in a game. The opposing team filed a complaint after but it was turned down because it did not affect the result of the game at all.

With precedence in mind, the UAAP should concur with the Technical Committee's decision to junk the La Salle protest.

My message to Lasallians: go and accept defeat. Let's be sport, not sour and sore losers. There's still the Round 2 game anyway.